BREAKING MS NEWS: Novartis Gets FDA Approval For Multiple Sclerosis Drug Gilenya

Sept 22, 2010 – 4:30am


(RTTNews) – Novartis AG (NVS: News ) Wednesday announced that the US Food and Drug Administration approved the oral multiple sclerosis, or MS, drug Gilenya 0.5 mg daily, a first-line treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis – the most common forms of the disease.

Gilenya is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. The drug can decrease the number of MS flare-ups or relapses. Gilenya does not cure MS, but it can help slow the build up of physical problems that MS causes.

Novartis also said the FDA approval makes Gilenya the first oral treatment indicated for relapsing forms of MS available in the US.

The company noted that Gilenya showed superior efficacy by reducing relapses by 52% at one year compared with interferon beta-1a IM, a commonly prescribed treatment. Two-year, placebo-controlled study showed that Gilenya significantly reduced the risk of disability progression.

by RTT Staff Writer

Article Source: RTT News

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